The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1887-07-07
ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn, June 90.

KNOXVILLE, TENN, June 20.
Mr.. EDITOR After having spent four
weeks in.the mountains, seeing and hear
ing each day something new, we find
ourself in q new and pleasant home on
Broad Street in the city Of Knoxville.
This is called the Queen City of the
Mountains, and very justly so, since We
can see extensive mountains all around
US. Situated on hills, ne are continu-
ally famed by pleasant breeze, not
withstanding June is considered by the
citizens to be their hottest month, blan-
kets being not at all uncomfortable.
We meet with many robust old people,
who boast of the health aud prosperity
of their country. They say if we have
people in South Carolina who would like
to live long, they should come over to
East Tennessee. The pure mountain
air, with limestone water, and various
minerals, white and black sulphur, is
common. Nearly every farmer has two
and three kinds of water on his farm.
Lime is 80 thick it is se"u in large. white
streaks all through the rock, which is
often burnt, leaving piles Of pure lime,
and the ladies very often have to dig out
cakes of lime stuck to the bottom of
their tea kettles.
The lands in East Tennesseo are very
productive, of black rich soil and no
sand. Corn is easily raised, with but
little work. After preparing the ground
we'll, they plant and plough over few
times and the crop is made without q
hoe ever being carried into it. The best
wheat yields twenty bushels to the acre.
In one instance guano company fur.
nished the guano for all made on the
acre over ten bushels, and received FIVE
bushels to the acre for their part.
This country is one vast expanse of
living green. The meadows Of herd and
timothy, with the clover fields in bloom,
overshadowed by the mountains full of
small clouds, floating here and there, and
often pouring down rain in spots, indie.
pendent of the surrounding sunshine,
make a perfect picture of loveliness.
This is the season for moving the mead
ows by machinery. Glover sown early
in the Spring can't be grazed until after
it blooms, and in three. yea.o that is
turned under and sown in wheat, which
is followed by another stand of clover,
without any more work, and 80 the whole
face of nature is constantly changing.
After the meadow grasses are reaped in
the Fall, it comes up again beautiful
green, about one foot high, and is pas.
tured until Christmas. Thousands of
horses, cattle, hogs, sheep and stock of
every kind roam these hills, not often
Ieen by their owners.
We will long remember the last night
we spent with those jolly mountain peo.
pie. AS a token of their friendship they,
unexpectedly to US, sent out for their
neighbors to come in and have regular
breakdown frolic. Lo, and behold,
about dark perfect cloud of people
came rising over the hills, dressed and
perfumed with their " Westinghouse
draps," and continued to pour in until
every nook and corner in the house and
yard was full. Their band of music con.
sisted of violins, banjos, bones, a triangle
and base violin. This music was per.
feet feast. They continued to play until
the "wee small hours" babe them stop,
and finally wound up on "mocking-bird
march" and "home, sweet home," leav.
ing q lasting impression on the heart Of
the stranger guest. These people enjoy
life in their own way, and their name is
legion. Their kindness to South Car
olina stranger will never be forgotten by
one whose heart is full of gratitude.
Near our home in the city is an ice
factory, making ice from very bold
limestone spring. We walked through b
and examined all the works, and were
sorry to hear that the factory was worked
on the Sabbath day. The city of Knox
vile is four miles square, with thirty-five
thousand inhabitants. Rev. Joe Munday
is now here. Rev. Jones and Small are
now fighting liquor in Tennessee, and
we expect them soon in Knoxville.
i. B. CLEMENT.